The Start menu in Windows 11 has been a point of contention for users, who have expressed their dissatisfaction despite Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to enhance the experience. In response to these frustrations, many have turned to third-party applications to tailor the Start menu to their preferences.
Compatibility Challenges and Workarounds
In late March, as Microsoft initiated the rollout of Windows 11 24H2 for testing on Insider channels, users of StartAllBack encountered a compatibility issue. A notification appeared, stating:
This app can’t run because it causes security or performance issues on Windows. A new version may be available. Check with your software provider for an updated version that runs on this version of Windows.
To address this, the StartAllBack developer released a workaround in May, which temporarily disabled the classic Taskbar on systems running 24H2. The update was noted as follows:
Version 3.7.9 1 May 2024
- Disabled classic taskbar on 24H2 by default for now
For those seeking an alternative solution, renaming the executable also proved effective.
New Features and Performance Enhancements
With the recent release of StartAllBack version 3.8, support for Windows 11 24H2 has been fully integrated. The developer emphasizes that this version will be essential for the forthcoming Windows 11 updates scheduled for August. Notably, Microsoft has already issued an optional update under KB5040529 for July.
This latest iteration not only introduces new features but also enhances performance by reducing system resource consumption. Users can anticipate improved responsiveness, potentially due to decreased CPU and RAM usage, which may result in lower processing latency.
The comprehensive changelog for version 3.8 is as follows:
Version 3.8 31 Jul 2024
- Fully reimplemented taskbar!
- Shy autohide taskbar perk
- Never, hide labels combine button setting
- Reorder task thumbnails by drag&drop
- Reduced taskbar resource usage, improved responsiveness
- Pixel-perfect task icons
- All-new taskbar animations
- Support for latest 23H2/24H2 builds. Required for August Windows updates!
Users interested in exploring these enhancements can download the application from its official website. However, it is important to note that StartAllBack remains a third-party application and is not an official Windows product.
